Five Years of Marriage to Mr. Bradford (by Koi Fish) novel Chapter 42

Without a word, Vance handed the phone back to Rebecca, then lowered his head to focus on eating. Even though the dishes didn’t suit his taste, he ended up eating quite a bit.

Josette looked at him with a mix of surprise and concern. “Vance, how long has it been since you last had a proper meal?”

Rebecca glanced at him sidelong, already knowing the likely reason. He must have been so preoccupied with Catherine being ill that he had been unable to eat or sleep properly since the previous evening, so now anything tasted good.

“Your cooking is just that delicious,” he replied with a smile.

“You two are always so busy,” Josette said, her smile warm and inviting. “Come over more often, and I’ll make meals for you both.”

“Josette,” Vance said, still holding his plate like he wasn’t quite done, “some owners in our residential complex are looking to sell their units. How about we buy one for you there?”

Josette waved it off. “There’s no need for that. I’m perfectly content living here, surrounded by all my familiar neighbors. Plus, in the countryside, it’s so convenient to grow melons, fruits, and vegetables. I can even ship them to you when they’re ready.”

This wasn’t the first time Vance had suggested such an idea. Back when Josette had fallen and injured herself, he had suggested buying her an apartment in the same complex, but she had firmly declined, stating that she was accustomed to life in the rural

area.

However, in private, Josette had confided in Rebecca that she shouldn’t demand too much just because she was married to Vance. His wealth was the result of hard work, not something that came effortlessly or by chance.

“Fair enough.” Vance finished the last of his soup and hiccupped. “This soup is even fresher and tastier than what Nancy makes at home. Do you have some secret technique?”

“You silly child,” Josette laughed, amused by his compliment.

Rebecca reflected that, in the world, Josette was likely the only person who dared to call Vance silly without any repercussions, and remarkably, he didn’t seem to mind it at all.

If there was anyone who had truly served as a supportive force in her marriage, it was undoubtedly Josette.

Josette treated Vance with genuine kindness, not because she held him in particularly high regard, but because she believed in reciprocity. By being good to him, she hoped he would, in turn, be good to Rebecca.

After dinner, Josette began clearing the dishes, and Desmond stood up to assist her.

Unexpectedly, Vance also jumped in to help, and in the end, he managed to take over the task completely, carrying the stack of dishes into the kitchen and swiftly claiming the sink.

He reiterated his earlier statement. “I’m not a guest.”

This left Josette feeling somewhat embarrassed and at a loss. Rebecca gently held her back. “It’s fine; let him do it.”

At this stage, she had reached a point of indifference, almost resignation.

He could wash the dishes or mop the floor as he liked. Extracting the last bit of value from him now seemed reasonable.

She even contemplated agreeing to the idea of buying Josette an apartment in their complex. After all, Josette wasn’t like Rebecca’s greedy, insatiable parents; she truly deserved it

Seeing Josette’s helpless expression, Rebecca couldn’t express her true thoughts aloud, so she simply said, “Don’t worry about it. He’s not some pampered rich kid who’s never lifted a finger. He’s capable of doing all sorts of things.”

This was the truth. Although he came from a wealthy family, his parents had never spoiled him. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have

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Chapter 4

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Back then, everyone boarded at the school, including him, with no luxury cars to pick him up and no nannies to handle his laundry. He managed everything on his own, which explained why he had been so eager to start his own business at a young age.

By estimation, it was at least 100 thousand dollars. Yet he called it pocket money, which startled Josette considerably.

Rebecca, with her injured leg, couldn’t keep up at all. It felt as though she was being dragged along forcefully.

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